Ivory Romance (Part III)

I gave Ivory Romance a call last week. After much deliberation, Choo and I decided not to go for the photo shoot at Ivory Romance. Why? Well, I listed some of my personal thoughts...

1. Rigid: Not allowed to swap or change the content of the package while most of the bridal shops do. For example, there's no need for us to have the art magazine album and hence I thought of exchanging it with additional poses or other items. However, the salesperson commented that customers sign up for the expertise of their photographers, MUAs and designers. Even if I don't want the album, I'll get nothing and won't be able to exchange it for other things.


2. "Free" hair-do: According to the salesperson, the "hair-do" stated on the leaflet was referring to having me wearing a wig instead of really doing my hair with different hair styles. If I choose to have the MUA styling my own hair, I need to pay extra $$ for it. This is rather confusing by reading the leaflet.


3. Special guest features (FOC): When I signed up for this package, the salesperson Yin specifically told me that I can have my husband (or boyfriend back in 2007) as my special guests during the photo shoot for FOC. This was clearly written on the invoice. However, another salesperson now emphasised that there was a miscommunication back then as the special guest can only take photos for 10 poses only. If Choo were to participate in the photo shoot, we have to pay extra RM100 for it. This is absurb!!


4. Soft copies: No soft copies will be given. Additional RM50 is required to receive the soft copies of 22 poses chosen at 4R size. Please be advised that this is before touch up. Well, as you might have guessed by now, more costs involved to own all soft copies after touch up at higher resolution (or dpi).


5. Customer service: I made a request to the salesperson to arrange for us to view and select the photos on the very next day after the photo shoot as we would prefer reducing the number of trips to KL if possible. However, the salesperson told me that it all depends on the photographer and she cannot commit (though she'll try). Well, to me, this is not exactly the best customer service as the date that I've chosen was during the "off peak" period offered by her. Further more, most bridal shops that I know of are flexible about this and more than willing to accommodate outstation customers such as the Dawn's in JB. So, another minus point for it!

Well, I can go on and on and on but it was never my intention to condemn or criticise this bridal shop. I just wanted to express my standpoint and the bottom line is - be a smart consumer! Make sure you clearly understand the package before you sign up and have everything documented as detailed as possible on the invoice. Other wise, you may want to consider walking away from the deal. We have chosen the latter.

Basically, you would want to enjoy yourself during the photo shoot and not ended up walking out of the bridal shop with anger and dismay, wouldn't you?

Ivory Romance (Part II)

Well, this is already the second week since I first contacted Ivory Romance.

I still remember clearly that the lady who answered the phone told me that their salesperson will contact me once they locate my invoice. I never hear from them at all since then. At first I was telling myself to give them some time as I signed up for the package back in late 2007. But then, how long does it take to find an invoice? For a "renowned" bridal shop like Ivory Romance, there ought to be some sort of internal control procedures for recordkeeping, right?!!

I should have gotten the lady's name but I didn't. Frankly, I was not expecting such a "quality" customer service from Ivory Romance despite the negative comments I'd read thus far. Should I give them a call? A second chance for them perhaps? Or should I not take the risk of making myself upset and just forfeit the deposit I had paid?

To call or not to call...that's the question I'm asking myself at present.

Ivory Romance (Part I)

I was cleaning my stuff the other day and accidentally found a personal package with Ivory Romance (IR) at Jalan Loke Yew, which I signed up in September 2006. To my great surprise, it's still valid for another 6 months. Goodness! I've totally forgotten about this package...till now.

I was in KL for training with my colleague (during my employment with EY) and we stayed at the Boulevard Hotel back then. With the strategic location (hotel next to a mega mall), it's hard to resist the shopping spree temptation for a shoppaholic like me. *LoL* So happened that IR was having a wedding exhibition at Mid Valley and hence both of us decided to just "have a look".

And guess what? The salesperson managed to get both of us signed up for their packages! My colleague got herself a wedding package. It was quite some time ago and hence I don't really remember her package deal. As for me, it's a "glamourous" type of personal package. The original package was RM850 but the promo package costs only RM550. It includes the following items –
1. 3 gowns
2. 3 hair-dos
3. Studio Make-up
4. 12 pcs of 4R photos for 2 poses (not sure if it comes with cold texture)
5. 20 pcs of 5R photos (with cold texture)
6. 2 pcs of 10R photos (with cold texture)
7. Art Magazine Album
(+)
8. Boyfriend/hubby can be the guest during the photo shoot (FOC)
9. 4 types of theme: Portrait, Slide, Penthouse and Rococo

Note: The Rococo theme is one of the reason for me to sign up the package. Beautiful garden with gorgeous red roses...it's just too good to resist!

BUT...yes, BUT...I have to pay extra for the ampoules, eye lashes, set hair and colouring. Not sure if I'll be given with the electronic copy for all the photos that I choose FOC or it includes other hidden costs. This is definitely a million dollar question.

I've read so many unfavourable comments about IR and it somehow makes me think twice of going there for the shoot. But, after much deliberation with Choo, we decided to just go there and have fun. After all, it costs us only another RM450 (hopefully, ha!).

Just in case any of the brides-to-be or girls interested in signing up a package with IR, please check out the following links. I personally find those comments honest and informative. So, best of luck to you girls...and to me too!

http://www.malaysiabrides.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=4151&st=0
http://wcheryl.blogspot.com/2009/03/glamour-shots-at-ivory-romance.html
http://www.eddyhan.com/?p=134&cpage=1

p.s. I shall give a fair comment on the IR service after the shoot!